Goals for the month..

1. Wake up for TWO AM spin classes/week.  My old gym is not remotely convenient to my commute so, this weekend while JKL is away, I'm dedicating myself to finding a new one that has AT LEAST two spin classes that I can make it to, per work week.

2. Work out BOTH days on the weekend.  No excuse not to do this.  I LIKE walking around my 'hood. 

3. Fit in 3 walk/runs for the couch to 5k program.  One on each weekend day and one during the week isn't so bad.

4. Figure out a few staple "go-to" meals that allow me to stay on pts, satisfy JKL and go to bed happy.  So far, all I actually know for a fact that JKL likes are tacos.  Need to work on this.

5. Get quotes on remaining items for kitchen renewal (cabinet staining, granite or quartz counters and backsplash)  Got my feelers out to a few places but need to get aggressive.

6. Implement new family budget.  JKL is pretty good with money but he is rather disorganized (and lazy).  I'm getting involved and plan to get us on track to meet some short and long term financial goals.  We recently re-financed (thanks to moi) so why stop there? 

Got all my new stainless appliances installed last week and today so will have some picts soon!

xx,

MAY

Anniversary Day Dreaming

Do you ever wonder if you'd have the same wedding/honeymoon if you were planning it today?  I've been thinking about that a lot.  As much fun as I had, I don't even think about our wedding 1/100th as much as our honeymoon.  I would elope.  No doubt in my mind.  My parents and gang would've found it in their hearts to forgive when they saw picts from the travel extravaganza we would have gone on.  My two weeks on Lanai and Kauai were as close to perfect as you can get but, if we didn't have that pesky wedding, we could have lengthened our trip with visits to the Big Island and Maui.  Two more island paradises versus cupcakes at the Lanam Club?  NO BRAINER.  There are some of the places I'd like to have visited....

Dreamily yours,

MAY

Products I Love..

Thought I’d share some old loves and new finds.

HAIR: I really don’t have a “go to” shampoo/conditioner but, no matter what, I ALWAYS use a detangler.  It’s a godsend for me because I can get dreadlocks over the course of an 8 hour work day, no, not toiling in the fields but, being sedentary in an office.  Its beyond weird.  Anywho, my latest love is Dove Hair Nourishing Oil Detangler.

FACE: I hate to wash my face.  For the LONGEST time I used a bar of Dove soap in the shower and that was that.  Now that I’m rapidly approaching middle age, a bar of soap doesn’t cut it and moisturizing is VERY necessary.  I have a pretty set regimen.  In the morning I use (this is relatively new) Loreal BB.  Its AMAZING.  It moisturizes, evens out your facial tone and color and protects from the sun.  I use this in lieu of foundation or cover up.  I then top that with a bronzer/blush mix from Physician’s Choice and I’m out the door.  At night, I use Burt’s Bee Facial Cleansing Wipes and Sensitive Skin Moisturizer.  My skin has never been so soft without being oily.   I also want to give a shout out to Aveeno Lightly Tinted Moisturizer.  I used it for a few years but it’s a bit too heavy on the tint and light on the moisture.   A good second choice if I run out of my BB. Next thing I want to try is a Clairsonic.  Its going on my x-mas list.

 

LIPS: Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil.  I was an avid lipstick wearer for years but now this is my go-to.  I MIGHT, on occasion, use a tinted balm  (also by Burt’s) and they’re also nice.

 

NAILS: I get pedis very regularly b/c my heels get really gross within a week or two even though I’m not distance running or really even that mobile.  Its another odd conundrum, much like the dreadlocks.  The only color I ever seem to be truly happy with is Figi by Essie.  When I try out others to be adventurous, it’s a massive fail.  This weekend I did a coral that’s not BAD but, I’m not pleased that I deviated.

 

BODY: I’m not one of those people who jumps out of the shower and slathers with cream.  I do this, maybe, once or twice a week.  When I do, I like Burt’s Bees (my mames does not own this company) Body Butter. The Honey and Shea smells unreal and doesn’t make you to greasy/slippery.  JKL is sensitive to smell and this one gets his seal of approval.

VITAMINS: I take a regular multi-vitamin but I have also started supplementing with a daily dose of B-12.  Holy crap.  I used to sleep more than anyone I know and since I’ve been taking this, I sleep a very normal amount (~7 hours), am not really ever tired and DO NOT DRINK CAFFEINE.  This is huge.  I was never very reliant on coffee in my day but definitely drank a bit too much Diet Coke.  Now-never.  In fact, when I do make the attempt, I feel a little TOO wired.  Only thing that has changed is the addition of B-12.  B-12 also helps with hangovers.  I’ve only drank once in the past several weeks but, when I did, I took my B-12 before bed and was up at 8am going for a power walk. COMPLETE ANOMALY.

TEETH: Colgate Optic White.  I use the toothpaste and now the mouth wash and I really think it’s helping to lighten up my teeth a bit.  Don’t get me wrong, its not as good as whitening strips but I can’t use them b/c they make my teeth ache (weird fact number three of this post) but its definitely more effective than any of the zillion whitening toothpastes I’ve tried.  I hoard mine and never let JKL use it or even be aware of its existence.

 

 EDIBLE ITEMS

 Vanilla Whey Protein: Half a scoop an my appetite is GONE.  Its un-real.  I sometimes put this in a Nalgene with ice cold water, lemon juice and cinnamon (I know, its sounds gross but it really grows on you) and shake it up for a pre-workout “snack” or I add it to a smoothie with almond milk, frozen berries for a low pts but FILLING bfast smoothie.  I like the taste too.

Better Than Peanut Butter: I just found this recently and I’m obsessed.  I love PB but the pts kill me.  This was lurking around in the aisles of my new favorite place (Target/Supermarket combo) and I snatched it right up.  No, it does not taste EXACTLY the same as PB but when you spread it on toast or put it in your smoothie, you can’t tell.  I promise.  Its on 100 cals for TWO tbsps.

 

Emergen-C (Pink Lemonade): This has been a love of mine since back in my Beacon Hill days.  I was so obsessed that Poois once fretted I would develop kidney stones from a Vitamin C buildup.  It tastes SOOOO good and when I have a cold or feel one coming on, I POUND water with it mixed in and I swear it helps.

 

 

Gotta run,

MAY

New Things

I am a change and risk-adverse person but, recently, I've emerged from my comfort zone on a few occassions and was kinda proud of myself for making the attempt.

1. Indian Food.  NEVER have liked the stuff.  I can't recall the exact origin of my disdain was but, regardless,  I crossed it off my eligible foods list long ago.  This week: Picked up a couple of nice looking Chicken Tikka Masala meals from Whole Foods and YUM.  Perfect # of PTS for a lunch, filling and SO much tastier than anything else I've brought from home in quite awhile.  We have our anniversary dinner booked for an Italian place on Sat night but maybe we'll go Indian...hmmm.....JKL would be stunned.

2. Pilates PLUS.  Ok, in all honesty, I signed up for this class thinking it was a vanilla reformer class.  Not so much.  There were weights...and lunges...and planks......  I nearly passed out.  HOWEVER, I'm glad I went and checked it out and for those of you who are more in shape than I, you'd probably really like it.  www.bostonpilatesplus.com.

3. Country Music.  YAWN?  No.  Not anymore.  I used to get MAD at my Mames (re: my mom) for driving me around with her country tunes blaring but we recently went on a mini road trip together and..there's a lot of catchy stuff out there....I am not afraid to admit that last week, alone, I downloaded some Gloriana and Lady Antebellum.  I might not workout to it but, when I'm in gridlocked traffic on I-95 North on a Friday night at 6:00, I enjoy a nice ballad.

4. Couple workouts.  I used to openly mock peple I saw running/walking along with Charles with their partner on a Sunday.  I couldn't fathom why that would be enjoyable.  Now, I kind of get it.  The past two weekends, JKL have made walking together in Marblehead the crux of our day and we've loved it.  We get exercise, get to be outside and by the ocean (JKL likes to take a dip in the water after we're done) and spend quality time without having to chat constantly (we're listening to our tunes independently).  Afterwards, we reward ourseleves with a high priced Boar's Head deli sandwich and head home, refreshed and calm.  I think you kind of have to do stuff like this in a marriage (not always, but once in awhile) when you both work a lot and don't see much of each other during the week apart from TV time.  Don't get me wrong, I still sneer at the triathelete couples who sprint past us but, now I do it and am gratified to look over and see JKL giving them the finger.

XXX,

MAY

Double or nothing?

You know what's weird?  When you're making new friends who are couples, you really have to be able to hang with BOTH people or else it's not going to work.  I, for one, am NOT used to having to get dudes to like me as a friend.  I have NOTHING to talk about with them and I'm afraid that I'm sabotaging JKL in our new social endeavors by outright yawning or going to bed when the conversation turns to golf, sports, whiskey or work.

I've noticed that other wives roll with it and maybe they actually DO enjoy beer, scotch and the Dow Jones Index but, I don't and I can't pretend.  I actually get a bit resentful when other wives don't want to run off into the bathroom or kitchen to grab more wine and talk about the Bachelor when the conversation veers towards "man things".  Why do we all have to hang out as 4-some?  Can't we talk SEPARATELY and re-convene for the meal?  Even worse is when the foursome paris off and its (god forbid) me and the and dude and  JKL is hanging with Wife #2 talking about his lax glory days.  I meaaannn......shoot me.  At first, I just proceeded to talk about my mani/pedi/Real Housewives and let the Husband #2 suffer but, a popular wife, that does not make.

This weekend I was at a larger gathering and it was great because all the ladies stuck together. There was ONE husband hanging with us and he seemed overjoyed to be talking about wedding dresses and potty training.  At one point his wife was like "honey, you can go hang with the guys" and he was all "NO!" in a panicky kind of way.  I looked right at him and I was like "sounds awful, right?".  We let him stay.  I would have fought for him, if necessary.  I know what its like to be stranded behind enemy lines with no interesting conversation.

Adieu,

MAY

Hallelujiah..

At long last, I have finally managed to transfer picts from my iphone to computer.  This is very exciting for me.  Thus, today's post is going to be a photo blog.

See you around,

MAY



This is my living room.  You can kind of make out my orange accents..

Orange IKAT pillow

Tides Beach Club Bar, Kennebunkport

Tides Lobby/Lounge

Super nice pool area at Hidden Pond Resort









Beachy suite

Bday gift!

Planing a Dinner Party

…is fun.  I’m going to get a few of JKL’s nearest and dearest together for his bday at the end of Sept at a restaurant.  We're going to have it locally to minimize the annoyance for the drivers.  It'll either be at a little Mediterranean restaurant or at a loungy Italian place.

I think that bringing a group out to dinner can be stressful if 1. you’re paying; and 2. you have no control.  I have decided to alleviate both factors by deciding that its my treat BUT I will control the menu and bev options so that I’m not going to get a nasty surprise at the end of the evening.  I also have crunched some numbers and believe that I'm not being extravagant by doing this at a restaurant as opposed to at home b/c I would basically want to redecorate/renovate my entire house before having a fiesta there so…........money in the bank.  Anywho, here are my menu ideas for each venue. 

1. Mediterranean Place

Apps: Family style Mezza Platters, Chicken Provencal Wings

Salad: Greek Salad served family style

Entrees: Scallops or Short Ribs

Dessert: Assorted

Wines: Rioja and Malbec

2. Italian Place

Apps: Family style Antipasto platters, Crunchy Meatballs

Salad: la Familga Salad served family style

Entrees: Family style servings of Tagliatelle Bolognese, Mushroom Ravioli and Veal/Chicken with Lemon and Mushrooms

Dessert: Creme Brulee or Tiramisu

Wines: Sauv Blanc or Cabernet

I’m leaning towards Option #1, myself.  I think it'll be a little cozier and the menu is different. 

Last, I think I need to be prepared for the inevitable “Now what?” after dinner’s over so that leaves bar or back to the house.  I’m thinking back to the house where I’ll have a 30 pack of Bud Light, a few bottles of wine and a playlist ready to go.  Some of the tunes I'm currently loving are:

She Doesn’t Mind, Sean Paul

Just Say Yes,  Snow Patrol
Its Time, Imagine Dragons
Whistle, Flo Rida
Some Nights,  Fun
Runaways, The Killers
Anna Sun, Walk the Moon
One Thing, One Direction

www.itunes.com

Mazel,

MAY